Tom Aspinall revealed during the long layoffs that his goal is always becoming an indisputable UFC heavyweight champion.
Following Jones’ retirement, it apparently lasted for two weeks – Aspinel traveled to Las Vegas where he told UFC officials about what’s coming for him. He admits to looking down on a list of potential opponents that Jones was clearly the biggest and most important battle available to him, but he hopes that things in the division will start to rock again with plans to continue to be a very active champion.
“The heavyweight division is not burning accurately at this point,” Aspinel told Adam Qatar after returning to the UK. “From the name from a perspective. I think he has talent. But looking over five years ago, only the names of the top 15 were incredible: Fabrio Verdam, Cain Verazquez, Mark Hunt, Mark Hunt, Alistair Over Yem, Brock Lesnar, etc. Now, even me, who is also heavyweight, I look at the top 15 and it seems like I’ve never actually seen (these guys) fight before.
“I think it will change over the next few years. I think there will be a bigger fight in the heavyweights. People will be a bigger name. This is great.
The good news is that now that Aspinall has offered him the fight the UFC has already accepted him, we hope he will return to action sooner.
“I have a fight right now where it’s announced, but unfortunately that’s not my job,” Aspinall revealed. “But at least we have a date. Our opponents should work. Everything is good. I’m very pleased with it. Finally we can build a career again.”
Given the rest of the UFC calendar for 2025, Aspinall may be considering returning to action in October, November or December depending on where the promotion is.
The final big show will take place in December, and once the UFC finishes the year, there are all the signs pointing to homecoming in Las Vegas.
Aspinall didn’t mention the date, location or opponent, but addressed some potential matchups with former interim champion Ciryl Gane, who might be sitting at the top of the list.
“We were supposed to fight each other a few times before,” Aspinel said of his battle with Gaan. “He was a little older, and at least he started his career in the UFC a little earlier than me, so when I was there, it seemed like he was always trying to fight him.
“To be honest, he didn’t refuse me a few times. He doesn’t want to fight rankings. I don’t know. I don’t know. I’m a bad fight for everyone. It’s a dangerous fight for everyone.
Aspinall also spoke to Mailton Almeida, who was rather vocal in search of a heavyweight title shot.
“I like it,” Aspinel said of the Brazilian. “I think he’s good. He’s defeated by (Curtis) Braides, but he looks good. There’s no very good heavyweights around him. He’s decent.”
Another potential name for the future is Russian heavyweight Alexander Volkov. Aspineol was broken in 2022 via armbar submission. Since then, Folkov has finished a somewhat controversial split decision to Gain this December to get 4-1.
It doesn’t sound like Aspinall is in a hurry to a rematch right now, but he definitely sees Volkov as his future opponent.
“I actually thought (Folkov) won the battle of Gain as well. Honestly, Aspinel said, “But I think he won it. Honestly, I knew how good Folkov was when I fought him. He’s really good. He’s really good. I think he’s improved ever since.”
“So if we’re going to have a rematch, it would be interesting. Don’t get me wrong. There are no two fights the same, but whenever I remember that fight was my first main event, compared to three or four years ago, it was also a fight in front of the crowd. Keep winning.
Regardless of his opponent, Aspinall is excited to return to work after a frustrating year, but he definitely sees the new challenges awaiting him as he is the indisputable UFC heavyweight champion.
“There are a few people I haven’t fought,” Aspineol said. “I won’t mention the names because they just cut it out and post it, but the people I fought know who they are and they are the people I want to fight.”